For decades, so-called conservatives have branded the Democratic Party and “liberals” as un-American, weak, bad for the economy and as the enemy of “freedom” and “liberty.” Instead of consistently fighting back and taking control of their own political brand, Democrats have engaged in a defensive struggle, forced to react and rebut. The Republican Party, therefore, has been very good at winning the argument while the Democrats remain smug and self-satisfied that they have “the facts” on their side. Decades of research by political scientists and other experts have repeatedly shown that emotions and compelling stories win the fight, not the facts alone.
The “conservative” movement thinks in terms of decades. By comparison, the Democratic Party thinks in terms of election cycles. In the face of an existential challenge to the country’s democracy and future from the right wing, Democrats and other pro-democracy Americans must radically reframe their thinking and approach to politics. Thankfully, last week’s Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago was a deviation from the norm, and perhaps even a sign that the Democrats with Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee have finally realized that to defeat Donald Trump, the MAGA movement, and the other neofascists will require winning both the hearts and minds of voters.
